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Angela F
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 10:32pm | IP Logged
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Hi all,
A very dear friend that runs a Catholic bookstore was given an upright piano in excellent shape with a padded bench. It will need tuned. She is offering it for sale for $250 with the proceeds to go to a local gal attending the JPII institute.
Anyway, my question is, is this a good deal? I've always wanted a piano, haven't been able to afford it. I think with some family members help I can scrape the money together, but how do I find out if this is a good deal? Help!
God bless,
Angela
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Mom to 7 blessings - welcome to Hanna Clare 1/19/10
"‘Great’ holiness consists in carrying out the ‘little’ duties of each moment."
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Kelly
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| Posted: July 28 2006 at 12:48am | IP Logged
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We've been shopping for pianos down here, too. Judging by what I've seen, it sounds like a GREAT deal, especially if it's really in excellent condition. Tuning runs aroudn $50 in our parts. Although $250 is a lot of money, it's a pittance for a nice piano. You usually can't even get a decent digital piano for that price.
Kelly in FL
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Dawnie
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| Posted: July 28 2006 at 1:02am | IP Logged
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Angela,
$250 for a piano in good condition is worth EVERY PENNY. I pay a piano tuner $75 (here in Kansas) to tune our piano once a year.
I suggest hiring a piano tuner to check the piano out for you--he/she will know what to look for. I did this a few years ago when considering a used piano purchase. The tuner only charged my about $20 for this service and advised me not to buy the piano. The lady who was selling the piano was only charging about $200 for it, but that would have been a waste of money if for me to be unhappy w/ the piano.
My mom finally gave me her piano about 2 years ago.  I was the only one in our house who played it. 
HTH
Dawn
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 28 2006 at 7:51am | IP Logged
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Angela,
Do you know the make, the year? I agree with Dawn, you need a tuner to look it over. If it's an older piano, not kept in good condition, it could have structural damage (like a cracked soundboard) that wouldn't be worth $2.50 let alone $250. If the tuner gives the okay, $250 is a pretty good price.
Is it one of those very tall uprights, the very old ones? Those aren't made anymore. The size of the soundboard is the same as a grand, so the sound is rich, but unfortunately because of the height, most of those are in sad condition because of weight bearing issues -- the board cracks. A tuner can see and hear the problems. In our area it costs about $50-75 for a look over the piano....well worth it for the peace of mind. I'm not saying this piano is like all that, just putting out the caution.
Does the $250 cover a piano mover? Don't forget to add that in. Pianos are HEAVY!
A rule of thumb for an older, used piano. If the piano plays well and can stay tuned, then it will be a blessing for your family and children. But if the piano sounds bad, with clunking keys or keytops that are coming off, making it less enjoyable to play, it's harder to encourage love of music (and practice) if it's a pain to listen or tickle the ivories.
I just went through purchasing a new piano. I don't have my books here, though, as I loaned them to my sister. I used Larry Fine's books as a gauge (check your library). This site and this might help. This is probably information overload for your purchase. A tuner would be your fastest and easiest help.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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guitarnan
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| Posted: July 28 2006 at 9:30am | IP Logged
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We were just given (for free) one of those old, tall uprights. I really appreciate the info on tuners and problems! This piano is old and damaged, but the price was right and my daughter can't wait to start lessons.
Any thoughts on what beginners' lessons might cost in the DC metro area?
Thanks!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Victoria in AZ
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| Posted: July 28 2006 at 7:45pm | IP Logged
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Dawnie wrote:
I suggest hiring a piano tuner to check the piano out for you--he/she will know what to look for. I did this a few years ago when considering a used piano purchase. The tuner only charged my about $20 for this service and advised me not to buy the piano.
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Absolutely, ask a tuner to look at it. I learned this the hard way. Even though $250 purchase price sounds good, you don't want it to be $250 down the drain. You can not tell a piano by its pretty cover...
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Your sister in Christ,
Victoria in AZ
dh Mike 24 yrs; ds Kyle 18; dd Katie 12; and one funny pug
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Help! Upright pianos
